FWISD Observes Native American Indian Heritage Month

Fort Worth Independent School District joins the nation in observing Native American Indian Heritage Month this November.

President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution in 1990 designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month. The observance celebrates the culture, tradition, history and significant contributions of America’s Native people.

The District will observe Native American Indian Heritage Month with a display in the Central Administration Building lobby. A recognition of students that are of Native American descent is also expected to occur at the November 13 Board of Education meeting.

In September the Board approved a resolution acknowledging the second Monday in October a day of service honoring and recognizing American Indian Heritage in the FWISD. The resolution, approved September 25, 2018, was brought to the Board at the recommendation of a committee made up of District students, teachers and parents and local residents of Native American descent.

“A day to honor American Indian heritage is an opportune time to educate the public about tribes and to raise awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically, and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges,” according to the resolution. “A day to honor American Indian Heritage is also a time to celebrate the rich and diverse culture of the 3.2 million Native Americans residing in the United States keeping in mind all of the historical sacrifices they have made in the country, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people.”

More than 360 students of American Indian/ Alaska Native descent represent 56 federal- and state-recognized tribes in the Fort Worth ISD.

The District’s American Indian Education Program offers academic support and cultural education to FWISD students who identify or who are of Native American descent. For more details, call 817-814-2879.